Diaphragm chamber



y 119531 T. EICHMANN 2,551,489

DIAPHRAGM CHAMBER Filed July 36, 1947 16 Avg 172 Patented May 1, 1951 UNITED STATES FTENT FFIC DIAPHRAGM CHAIWBER Application July 30, 1947, Serial No. 764,792 In Switzeriand August 30, 1945 8 Claims.

This invention relates to diaphragm chambers; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of the invention from among the various other embodiments, forms, arrangements, constructions, and combinations, of which the invention is capable and adapted within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

The invention is particularly directed to the improvement of the design, mounting and construction of fluid pressure operated and controlled diaphragms oi" the types in which the diaphragm is mounted in a pressure fluid chamber for flexing and control by fluctuations in pressure of the fluid in such chamber. With pressure fluid controlled diaphragm mechanisms or units now in general use, and particularly those such as are widely used in connection with thermally controlled regulating valves of refrigcrating plants and systems, considerable difiiculties are encountered in maintaining the mounting and connection of the flexible diaphragms in and with the associated structure making up the pressure fluid forming chamber in which the diaphragm is located, in gas tight condition over extended periods of time under operating condi tions.

It is a primary object of my present invention to overcome such difiiculties by providing a design, construction and mountin of a fluid pressure controlled diaphragm and of the pressure fluid chamber forming structure or casing which mounts and secures the diaphragm in operative position in the pressure chamber, by which the pressure fluid chamber will be effectively sealed and maintained gas tight under operating conditions over extended periods of time without requiring attention or maintenance.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a design, construction and mounting of a flexible pressure fluid actuated and controllled diaphragm, which will be mechanically and structurally simple and capable of ease of manufacture and assembly.

With the foregoing and other objects and results in view, my invention consists in certain novel features in construction of parts and elements and in the combinations thereof, all as will be more fully referred to and explained hereinafter.

type designed and intended for use primarily with a thermally regulated valve of a refrigerating system. This example has been selected because the disadvantages which my invention has overcome are met with in a high degree under the particular conditions of operation and use of such types of pressure controlled diaphragm mechanisms. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended or desired to limit or restrict my invention to the particular embodiment of the illustrated example or to use with thermally regulated valves of refrigeratin systems, as the invention is inherently capable of and is intended for embodiment in pressure. controlled diaphragm structures and mechanisms generally irrespective of any specific use thereof.

In the particular example of the invention illustrated herewith, referring now to the accompanying drawings, the diaphragm mechanism or structure is formed of a unit which includes a generally circular casing section ID, of dished, cup-like or concave form into which there is nested and secured a casing section II of circularforrn having a concave inner surface to form with section it, a diaphragm. receiving space within and between the casing sections, in and across which is mounted and secured a flexible diaphragm i 2 which divides the space within the easing into the chambers it and H5 at opposite sides, respectively, of the diaphragm. The sections l0 and H of the casing, together with the diaphragm I2, are secured and maintained in assembled unit forming relation by a cap member I6 of general ring or annulus form, which is removably secured to casing section It and engages with and over casing section l2 to maintain such section in nested, assembled relation in and with section It.

Casing section it, in this instance, is of dished or cup-like form to provide the generally concave inner wall surface Illa, and the annular peripheral edge wall IBb therearound extending from the concave surface side and concentric with the axis, of section ID. The inner surface of the annular edge wall Iilb is joined with and merges into the concave surface We of section III, by a rounded or smoothly curved surface IiIc, which surface IGc forms an annular groove-like seat extending completely around and surrounding the inner concave surface Ifia of the section II). The outer side of the peripheral edge wall lib is provided with external screw threading IEd therearound for threaded engagement by the cap member I6. A flange IIle is formed extending radially outwardly from and completely around casing section I adjacent the inner end of wall IElb, being in this example, a substantially radially outward continuation of the casing section Id. In this instance, casing section II] is formed with an axial bore therethrough in which there is reciprocally mounted for operative association with the diaphragm E2, an actuating rod or member V for a regulating valve (not shown), of a refrigerating system, or other element to be actuated by diaphragm I2.

The casing section I I which in assembled position is fitted and received in casing section I6, as will be clear by reference to Fig. 1, is of circular form having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the surrounding peripheral edge wall Iflb of casing section II). Casing section I I at the inner side thereof facing concave surface IUa of section II], is of depressed form to provide the concave surface Ila, which with the facing concave surface Illa of section IE defines and forms the space within the casing in which diaphragm I2 is mounted between the casing sections It and I I.

In this example, casing section II is provided with the inner edge Nb of its periphery formed rounded or curved on a radius of curvature substantially that from which the curvature of surface Iilc of section II] is generated, so as to provide such rounded surface I II) as substantially a complement of the rounded surface Iiic. The rounded inner peripheral edge III) of section II thus provides an annular rib or shoulder completely therearound. An end flange or wall He extends axially from and around the peripheral portion of section II, at the outer side thereof opposite the inner, concave chamber forming surface IIa. A central, axially disposed boss N41 is provided extending from the outer side of the section II, and a pressure fluid duct or passage I1 is formed extending axially through the boss Md and casing section I I in communication at its inner end with the chamber I5 within the casing. The duct E? is provided with an internally threaded counterbore Ila in the 'outer end thereof, into which may be threaded the externally threaded end of a tube Ilb, which, in the example shown, leads to the usual heat responsive element (not shown), for the purpose of causing variations in fluid pressure in the chamber I5 for controlling and actuating the diaphragm I2 in the usual manner familiar in the art.

The outer side of the end flange or wall II c of casing section II, is formed to provide the inwardly inclined or sloping surface IIe extending completely therearound, and the opposite and facing portion of the peripheral edge wall Iflb of the casing section ID is formed to provide the outwardly sloping surface I0) extending completely therearound. Thus, with casing section II in assembled, nested position in section ID,

there is formed and provided an outwardly diverging annular space completely around and between the walls Illb and Me of the casing sections.

The diaphragm I2 of this example is of the flexible type formed of a metal or other suitable material of the required dimensions and characteristics, as well understood in this art. In accordance with my invention, this diaphragm is mounted and secured in position between and extending completely across the space formed Within the assembled casing sections I0 and I I, so that the diaphragm is subjected at one side thereof to variations in fluid pressure within the chamber IE to cause flexing of the diaphragm toward and from chamber I4 to thereby reciprocate the valve actuating member V. In this instance, diaphragm I2 may be provided with a disk I2a on the side thereof within chambe I I, which is engaged and operatively associates the diaphragm I2 with the actuating member V.

The diaphragm I2 has its peripheral edge portion bent substantially at right angles to the plane of the body of the disk to provide the axially disposed attaching flange I2b therearound. The flange IE1) is joined and merged with the body of the disk I2 by a rounded or curved wall portion I2c whichextends completely around the disk and which is formed on a radius of curvature substantially that of the radius upon which is generated the curved surface forming the annular groove-like seat of casing section III and the curved surface forming the annular shoulder II b around the casing section II. Such curved wall portion I20 of the disk I2 thus forms in effect, an annular rib or shoulder around the periphery of the body of the disk. The disk I2 is mounted and positioned in the casing section Ill between that section and the casing section I I with the curved Wall rib or shoulder I20 thereof received and seated in the annular groove-like seat Ific which presents a curved surface substantially complementary to shoulder I20.

The casing section II is nested in casing section Ill and the diaphragm I2, with the annular curved surface rib or shoulder I I1) thereof seated and engaged in the concave side of the annular shoulder I20, of diaphragm I2, so that, the shoulder I20 may be tightly and securely engaged by and between casing sections III and II with the annular peripheral flange I2b of the diaphragm I2 extending outwardly through and being located in the outwardly diverging space formed around and between the casing sections by the inclined walls I0 and He of the peripheral flanges Ifib and lie of easing section II) and II, respectively. The diaphragm I2 so mounted and assembled with the casing sections I 0 and II, thus extends completely across the space between the opposite concave surface of the sections to divide such space into the pressure fluid chamber 55 and the chamber I I in which is located the actuating member V in operative association with the diaphragm. Preferably, although not essentially, the diaphragm I2 is arched by centrally displacing the same laterally in a direction outwardly toward and into the pressure fluid chamber I2, as will be clear by reference to Fig. l of the drawings.

The peripheral flange I22) of the diaphragm is anchored in and between the flanges I01) and I I0 of the casing sections by casting a fusible mass M of a suitable material, such for example as lead or tin, in the outwardly diverging annular space between surfaces I III and Me, with such mass M being securely cconnected as by a fusing weld, with the flange I212 of the diaphragm and with the flanges iilb and II c of the casing sections iii and I! at opposite sides of flange I 2b. In this manner the diaphragm is sealed in assembled position with the casing sections it and II, so that there is provided a gas tight and a substantially lealrproof pressure fluid chamber It. The largest diameter of the casing section I I and the inner diameter of the flange 5 b of the casing section i i, are so relatively dimensioned that the outwardly bent edge flange I21) of the diaphragm i2 is clamped and engaged between the casing sections Iii and II close to the bandin line from which the diaphragm flexes in operation.

The casing sections It and II with the diaphragm 22 secured in sealed position therebetween, are finally attached in such assembled position by means of the cap member or ring IS. The cap member I5 is provided with an internally threaded flange ifia therearound which fits over and threads onto the externally threaded peripheral flange iilb of casing section ID with the body of the cap member in mounted and assembled position extending over and around the outer edges of the flanges lfib and lie of the casing sections. Cap IE3 is formed centrally open and unobstructed and the boss t id of section i! extends into and is accessible through such opening. An annular sealing rib 56b is formed around and extends outwardly from the inner edge of flange Iiia of cap member H3, being formed to provide a relatively narrow or thin outer contact edge. A generally similar annular sealing rib 580 having a thin contact edge, is formed on and extends from the inner side of the body of cap member I6 in position for substantially sealing engagement with the outer edge of the flange i Ic of the casing section II. It is here pointed out that, if desired, additional sealing ribs of this character may be provided, say for example such as a rib similar to rib itc, but located extending from the body of cap member it in position to engage the outer edge of flange Hlb of the casing section I ii. In this manner, the joint and sealing connection between the casing section flanges and the attaching flange I21) of diaphragm i2 may be sealed therearound at both sides thereof.

The cap member it is screwed tightly down on casing section It into position as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, with sealing rib Itb in substantial sealing engagement with flange Hie of sec tion It), and with sealing rib iiic tightly engaged against and in substantial sealing contact with the outer edge of flange i la of casing section I I. Casing section it is thus forced and heid in position tightly clamping diaphragm I2 in position between the casing sections. The pressure exerted by the cap member to on the casing section II causes the diaphragm 2 to be clamped in :a substantially leakproof and gas tight manner, not only at and around the bending line from which the diaphragm flexes in operation by the pressure variations in chamber it, but also in front of or outwardly from and around such bending line.

In the foregoing manner, the diaphragm I2 is tightly clamped and secured in and between the casing sections it and It in front or outwardly of and beyond and around the bending or flexing line for the diaphragm, which together with the fusible weld formed between the flange I2b of the diaphragm and the opposite facing surfaces of the flanges Iiib and I I0 of the casing sections, provides a durable, substantially leak-proof and gas-tight anti-corrosion seal for the diaphragm chamber between the casing sections. And, in addition, by the arrangement and mounting of the cap member I6 relative to the casing sections it] and I I, with the sealing ribs I62) and I60 thereof engaged with adjacent surfaces, respectively, of the sections at opposite sides of the connection between the diaphragm and the casing sections, there is provided a seal against penetration of air to the anchoring mass M, so that, pos sibility of corrosion is substantially eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

It will also be evident that the various changes,

modifications, substitutions and eliminations' might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and, hence, I do not wish to limit my invention in all respects to the exact and specific disclosures hereof, except as may be required by specific intended limitations thereto included in any of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressure fluid actuated diaphragm structure, in combination, a casing including a casing section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange therearound and a casing section nested within said first mentioned section, said sections being formed to provide opposed, spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber within the casing, a diaphragm mounted in position clamped around a peripheral portion thereof between the adjacent peripheral portions of said casing sections and being positioned extending across said chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an annular peripheral flange therearound extending axially therefrom, said diaphragm flange being positioned between the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section and a peripheral portion of the said casing section nested therewithin, the outer portions of the inner side of the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section being inclined radially outwardly of the section, the outer portion of the outer side of the peripheral portion of said nested section being inclined outwardly and radially inwardly to form an outwardly flaring annular space between said peripheral flange and said peripheral portion of the nested section, and an anchoring mass in said outwardly flaring space between the peripheral flange of said first mentioned section and the peripheral portion of said nested section attaching the flange of said diaphragm to the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of said casing sections to form a substantially leak-proof joint and gas-tight seal between and around the diaphragm flange and said adjacent surfaces of the casing sections.

2. In a pressure fluid actuated diaphragm structure, in combination, a casing formed of casing sections having opposed, spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber therewithin, each of said sections being provided with an axially extending peripheral flange therearound with the flange of one section positioned within and concentric with the flange of the other section, a flexible diaphragm mounted in position between said sections extending across said chamher, said diaphragm being tightly clamped around a peripheral portion thereof between said casing sections and being formed with a laterally disposed peripheral flange therearound extending and being positioned between the peripheral flanges of said sections, an anchoring mass between said concentric casing flanges, over said diaphragm flange to join said diaphragm flange to the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of said casing flanges to form a substantially leakproof and gas-tight seal between said casing flanges and said diaphragm flange, and removable means for securing said casing sections and said diaphragm together in assembled relation with the diaphragm tightly clamped in position between said casing sections.

3. In a pressure fluid actuated diaphragm structure, in combination, a, casing including a section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange therearound and being formed at the inner side of said flange with an annular seat forming groove joining said flange with the body of said section, a second casing section nested within said first mentioned section and being formed with an annular eripheral shoulder portion therearound aligned with said seat groove of said first mentioned section, a flexible diaphragm secured between said casing sections and in position extending across the chamber formed therewithin, said diaphragm bein formed with a peripheral shoulder portion therearound seated in said seat groove of said first mentioned section and being clamped between said first mentioned section and the annular shoulder of said second section, said diaphragm being formed with an annular peripheral flange extending axially from and around the outer side of said annular should r and extending and being positioned between the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section and the adjacent peripheral portion of said second casing section, an anchoring mass cast in the spaces between opposite sides of said diaphragm flange and the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of the peripheral portions of said second casing and the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section to form a substantially leakproof and gas-tight joint between the diaphragm flange and said casing sections, and an annular cap member removably secured to one of said casing sections and being engaged with the other of said sections to secure the casing sections and said diaphragm together in assembled relation.

l. In combination, a casing including casing sections having opposed, spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber therewithin, aflexible diaphragm having its peripheral portion clamped between adjacent peripheral portions, respectively. of said casing sections and being positioned extending across said chamber, said diaphragm being formed with a peripheral flange extending axially from one side thereof and being extended and positioned between adjacent peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections, an anchoring mass of fusible material cast between and joined with the opposite sides of said peripheral flange of said diaphragm and the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of said peripheral portions of said casing sections to form a substantially gas-tight seal therewith, and a cap member removably attached to one of said casing sections and being engaged with the other of said sections to securely clamp said sections with said diaphragm therebetween in assembled position.

5. In combination, casing including casing sections having opposed spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber within said casing, a flexible diaphragm having its peripheral por tion clamped between adjacent peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections and being positioned extending across said chamber, the peripheral portion of said diaphragm at the outer side of the portion thereof clamped between said sections being extended and positioned around and between adjacent peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections, an anchoring mass between the outer peripheral p01- ticns of said diaphragm and the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of the peripheral portions of said casing sections, a cap member removably threaded on and around one of said casing sections and. being extended over and engaging the other of said sections to securely clamp said sections with said flexible diaphragm therebetween in assembled position.

6. In combination, a casing formed of easing sections having opposed inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber within said casing, a flexible diaphragm clamped around the peripheral portion thereof between the adjacent opposed peripheral portions of said casing sections and being positioned extending across said chamber, said diaphragm being formed with a peripheral flange therearound extending axially therefrom at the outer side of the peripheral portion of the diaphragm clamped between said sections, said diaphragm flange being positioned between adjacent concentric peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections, an anchoring mass between and joined to the opposite sides of said peripheral flange of the diaphragm and the adjacent surfaces, respectively, of said adjacent pcripheral portions of the casing sections to form a substantially gas-tight seal therewith and therebetween, and a. cap member removably threaded on one of said sections and being extended over the other of said sections in engagement therewith to tightly clamp said sections and said flexible diaphragm therebetween in assembled position, said cap member being formed with sealing ribs engaging said sections at opposite sides, respectively, of said anchoring mass.

7. In combination, a casing including a casing section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange therearound and a second section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange therearound nested within and concentric with the flange of said first section, said sections being formed to provide opposing, spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber within the casing, a flexible diaphragm mounted in position with a peripheral portion thereof clamped between the adjacent peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections and being positioned extending across said chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an annular peripheral flange therearound extending axially therefrom, said diaphragm flange being positioned between the concentric flanges of said casing sections, a mass of fusible material cast between opposite sides of said diaphragm flange and adjacent surfaces, respectively, of said section flanges and being joined therewith to form a substantially gastight seal closing the space between said flanges, a ring-like cap member removably threaded on and secured over the outer side of the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section, and said cap member being extended over and engaging the outer edge of the peripheral flange of said second mentioned casing section to thereby secure said sections with said diaphragm clamped therebetween in assembled position.

8. In combination, a casing including a casing section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange extending from one side thereof and a second section having a laterally disposed peripheral flange extending laterally from one side thereof, said sections being positioned with the flange of said second section nested within and substantially concentric with the flange of said first section and said sections being also formed to provide opposed, spaced inner surfaces forming a diaphragm chamber within the casing, a flexible diaphragm mounted in position extending across said chamber and having a peripheral portion thereof clamped between the adjacent peripheral portions, respectively, of said casing sections, said diaphragm being provided with an annular peripheral flange extending axially therefrom, said diaphragm flange being positioned between the concentric flanges of said casing sections, an anchoring mass formed between said peripheral section flanges around and joining said diaphragm flange with adjacent surfaces of said section flanges to provide a gas-tight joint therebetween, a ring-like cap member removably secured on the exterior of the peripheral flange of said first mentioned casing section and being extended radially inwardly over and across 10 the outer side of the peripheral'fiange of said second mentioned section, and said cap member being provided with an annular sealing rib having a narrow outer edge in sealing engagement with the adjacent outer side of the peripheral flange of said second mentioned section.

THEOPHIL EICHMANN.

REFERENCES CITED 

